NEWS

 Federal

• The 2010 deadline for USDA grants is June 30th this year instead of July 31st.  Click here for pdf file.
• The cost for silicon used in the production of solar cells has gone down due to new factories opening that are capable of producing much larger quantities of this key ingredient.  Look for lower prices on all solar panels to follow in the very near future.
• The USDA now has grants for Farms and Small Rural  Businesses to install Solar and Wind products, up to 25% of the costs can be received for your installation.  See here for details (this is in addition to the income tax credit)   Between an USDA grant and the tax credit a rural customer might cover 55% of the installed price of solar, wind or both and still get to depreciate the remainder of the cost.
• February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 which removed the limits to the solar and wind credits.  You can now get a 30% credit for the cost of the entire installation.  There are other components to the bill and this information will be forthcoming.
• October 3rd 2008.  President Bush signed legislation, the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008, H.R. 1424 (the bank bailout bill), that includes a new federal-level investment tax credit to help consumers purchase small wind turbines for home, farm, or business use.  Owners of small wind systems with 100 kilowatts (kW) of capacity and less can receive a credit for 30% of the total installed cost of the system, not to exceed $4,000. The credit will be available for equipment installed from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2016. For turbines used for homes, the credit is limited to the lesser of $4,000 or $500 per 1/2 kW of rated capacity.  The legislation passed today also extends and expands a similar credit for the solar industry that was first passed in 2005. Residential and commercial solar PV installations can receive a 30% credit, capped at $2,000 for residential applications in 2008 but uncapped for commercial uses now and for residential applications starting in 2009.  For more details click here   

State

• Consumers Energy announces EARP (Experimental Advanced Renewable Program).  They will pay you up to $0.65 per kWh for 12 years of solar production if you qualify for the program and start the program in 2009.  This rate falls to $0.525 per kWh in 2010.  After 12 years you can then continue with the standard net metering program.  More details of the program will be coming soon.  Detroit Edison has a similar program that can run 20 years with 25% of the estimated production advanced up front.  If your power company is one of these two utilities then this program may be for you.
• The new Net Metering rules became effective May 27, 2009.  You are no longer required to get a 2nd meter.  Your application fee is limited to $100 (utility can no longer just charge whatever they want).  Your credits if you over-produce can carry over indefinitely (instead of expiring in 1 year).  There are limits to how many can participate and at what size installations can participate, but for the majority of installations these limits will not affect them.  For more information go to here or here.  For highlights of the Net Metering Program try this PDF,  The smaller utilities may have different regulations.
• September 28th 2008.  Greg Nielsen emailed State Representative Geoff Hansen about House Bill 6006 which is in committee (if passed, would create a 50% tax credit on your State Tax Return for residential energy installations).  He replied that he supports the bill and hopes it will receive a hearing before the end of this year.  He also attached a copy of the recently passed State Energy Bill (click here to read it) which directs all utilities to allow true net metering in Michigan, and to produce 10% of their energy using renewable sources within 7 years, and how they will be adjusting their billing to reflect true usage, meaning lower rates for business and higher rates for residents.  This increase will make residential power production even more attractive while at the same time make Michigan more attractive to businesses who may bring jobs to the state.

Local

• July 31, 2009.  Shelby Solar and Wind becomes an authorized dealer for Smart Home (www.smarthome.com); Home Automation, X10, Remote Control, Lighting, Wireless Security... if you need any of their products please contact us to order (versus ordering direct), we may be able to save you a few dollars, in addition, some products will be in stock very soon.
• June 5, 2009.  Shelby Solar and Wind becomes an authorized dealer for Ventera Wind Turbines.
• May 27, 2009.  Shelby Solar and Wind becomes a dealer for (and also joins the affiliate program of) Applied Magnets, a source for magnets and wire and many other wind industry related products. 

• August 26th - August 30th   Greg Nielsen completes training in San Jose, California on partnering with AEE Solar, followed by Enphase Micro-Inverter products and  installation, Quick Mount PV products and installation, and Unirac products and installation.  Various wind generators and solar modules were also reviewed.

• July 28, 2008     Greg Nielsen completes online Webinar on AEE Solar Dealership.  See the frequently asked question link above (FAQ) for information on various aspects of solar and wind energy products, installation, and use.  Please direct any additional questions not covered in the FAQ to us by visiting the Contact Us link above.

• July 17, 2008     Greg Nielsen completes online Webinar on Enphase Energy's Micro-Inverters.  

• July 15, 2008     Greg Nielsen of Shelby Solar and Wind becomes an authorized dealer for AEE Solar.  Browse the entire product catalog online by clicking here.  

• June 14, 2008    Greg Nielsen - Licensed Builder filed a dba with the Oceana County Clerk: Shelby Solar and Wind is formed.